Ministry Team

Rector: The Rev. Deborah H. Kraft, B.Sc. (Trinity College, U.of T.), MBA (Rotman School of Management, U. of T.), B.Th. (Thorneloe College, Laurentian University), MTS (Trinity)

Rev. Deborah is the happy Rector of St. Paul's. This is her 2nd parish incumbency, and she loves parish ministry. She gives thanks to God for the gift of the growth that is happening at St. Paul's. and the privilege of working with a team of spirit-filled people.

She served as Rector of the Parish of West Thunder Bay from 2000-2005. Before she was ordained a priest on May 6, 2002 by the Rt. Rev. Ronald Ferris, she was the owner of Kraft Marketing, a local firm that focused on marketing research, and marketing strategies. Rev. Deborah has also been a professor at Confederation College and a small business consultant.

She is currently Chair of the Constitution and Canons Committee for the Diocese of Algoma, and the Bishop's clerical appointment to the Diocesan Executive Committee. Deborah co-facilitated the new strategic plan for Algoma. Rev. Deborah is an Associate of the Sisterhood of St. John the Divine.

Rev. Deborah has been married to Dr. Jouni Kraft for 32 years, and they are blessed to have 4 children (John, Paul, Laura, and Thomas), 2 daughters-in-law (Carrie and Crystal), and 1 Australian Shepherd, Belle.

For relaxation she like pilates, yoga, running, reading, and cottage life.

Honorary Assistant: The Rev. Bob Brown

Our beloved Fr. Bob is now retired from active duties as an Honorary Assistant at St. Paul's. He currently lives in a Thunder Bay retirement home. We treasure his many years of loving service.

Honorary Assistant: The Rev. Michael Dunnill

We've all had a long and sad week mourning the May 8th passing of The Rev. Michael Dunnill, Honorary Assistant at St. Paul's.  Since Wednesday night, I have been referring to the Rev. Michael Dunnill as St. Michael, and I mean this most sincerely.  The light of Christ shone through this man, and he witnessed God's grace each and every day.  He had a deep and authentic faith.  St. Michael turned his faith into deeds of kindness, compassion, and generosity.  I knew Michael for 31 years, first as a neighbour and father of our teen-aged babysitter Michelle, and then as a brother priest in ministry.  He was a great teacher and mentor to me and to many other people.  Fr. Michael worshipped at the 8:30 service on Sunday mornings, and I will miss his lovely, warm-hearted, and sometimes funny comments, teachings, and announcements.  I am deeply blessed to have known him, and I know that he lives on in heaven, and in the hearts of all those who love him.  What a legacy of faith and trust he has left behind!  I will never forget him.

May God comfort and uphold his beloved wife Marilyn, and his children Chris (Bev), Tim (Marcie), and Michelle (Lorne), and his grandchildren Connor and Kes.

I am thankful that Bishop Stephen Andrews was able to re-arrange his schedule and officiate at Fr. Michael's service on Thursday, May 13th.  This was Ascension Day, a feast in the church when we celebrate and remember Jesus' ascension into heaven to prepare a place for us.  For 40 days after the resurrection, the risen Christ appeared to over 500 people; he walked with them, talked with them, and ate with them.  Following the Ascension, no one saw the risen Christ anymore ~ the good news of our salvation is that Christ lives in our hearts.  We can still see him when we look at our brothers and sisters in Christ.

I was moved by the outpouring of love and gratitude from the Thunder Bay Police.  The Honour Guard was very large, and these men and women in uniform stood outside in the pouring rain at the cemetery throughout the entire committal.  At every intersection on our way to Riverside Cemetery, there was a police car and a police officer holding back traffic.  At the Police Station on Balmoral, the procession stopped and the hearse with the casket stopped right in front of the station.  A line of officers stood by the roadside and saluted the casket.  I have never, ever seen anything like this before.  I was reminded of a royal funeral.  It even had News coverage.  In case you missed Thursday's 6pm Newscast, here is a link to watch the footage of Fr. Michael's funeral online: http://tbnewswatch.com/video/19148/Dunnill-Farewell

~ The Rev. Deborah H. Kraft

Words from Fr. Michael Dunnill...

I studied for the priesthood at the monastery of the Society of St. John the Evangelist, Bracebridge, Ontario. I was ordained deacon on September 29^th, 1959 in St. George’s church in Port Arthur, and posted to the parish of All Saints, White River. This parish included serving Missanabie, Franz, Lochalsh, and Renabie.

I was ordained priest in the Cathedral church of St. Luke’s in Sault Ste. Marie, on September 11, 1960.> In September of 1963 I was transferred to St. James church in Cobalt. This included St. Simon’s in Temagami.

In October of 1965 I married Marilyn Revoir at St. James Church.> We were married by Archbishop William L. Wright. In 1966 I was accepted by the parish of Western Manitoulin.> This parish included All Saints, Gore Bay, St. John’s, Kagawong, and St. Peter’s, Silverwater.

I left parish ministry to work for the Ontario Government, primarily with ministries which had programs related to the social and economic benefit of residents of Northern Ontario. In 1977 I began working for the Ombudsman of Ontario. In 1979 I moved to Thunder Bay to establish a field office of the Ombudsman.

For health reasons I had to retire in 1984. In all parishes which attended throughout this period I served as an Honourary Assistant in parishes which our family attended in Toronto, Oshawa, and Thunder Bay.

I was sworn in as volunteer chaplain for the Thunder Bay Police Service on September 13, 1988, and have served in this capacity since then.

I became an Honourary Assistant in St. Paul’s Church shortly after the appointment of The Rev’d Deborah Kraft.

Honorary Assistant: The Rev. Gordon Holroyd, A.th (Thorneloe, Laurentian & Trinity), O.M.D.P. (U of T and Confederation College) O.E.H.C. (U of T). Computer Tech. (AIU) and Chaplain, Thunder Bay Chapter of the International Order of St. Luke the Physician.

Rev. Gordon is one of the Honorary Assistants at St. Paul’s. He was Chaplain at the Northwest Regional Cancer Center from 1987 – 1990 and Rector of Emmanuel Church, Ignace, in the Diocese of Keewatin before returning to Thunder Bay in 1994.

Gordon gives thanks to God for his ministry, the privilege of serving at St. Paul’s, the very active Healing Ministry in the parish, and for the support of Rev. Deborah and the congregation. Before he was ordained in 1991 by the Rt. Rev’d. Thomas Collings, he was a maintenance supervisor with the Ministry of Health.

He is currently employed by the Corporation of the City of Thunder Bay as an Environmental Services Supervisor at Grandview Lodge Home for the Aged, and maintains his Journeyman Electrician, construction and maintenance, Linesman and Computer Tech. certifications. He is currently studying to complete his B.th. (Thorneloe and Laurentian).

Rev. Gordon has been married to his wife Violet for 42 years and they are blessed with two children, Kevan and Mason, daughters in law Karen and Sherry, and grandchildren, Devan, Jared and Amanda.

For relaxation, he likes RVing, fishing and playing darts.

Youth Co-ordinators: Marissa Farrow, Dave Middleton, Joseph Houghton and Alia Wurrdeman-Stam

Music Director: Dr. Dean Jobin-Bevans

Parish Assistant: Christine French

Parish Nurse: Donna DeBenedet

The Parish Nurse Ministry at St. Paul's is a ministry of Christian service shaped by Christ's concern for all aspects of the human condition and directed to the service of the whole person.

My principal function as your Parish Nurse is to develop and implement my ministry, according to your physical, emotional, and spiritual needs.

Nursery Supervisor: Maureen Meredith

I was born and raised in Thunder Bay along with my younger brother. I attended Churchill High School, where I played clarinet in the school band. I attended and graduated from Lakehead University with my Bachelor of Arts, majoring in Geography. I have always enjoyed being around and working with children so I went on to receive my diploma in Early Childhood Education from Confederation College in 1998. I went on to work for a time with Our Kids Count and now work full time in a different field.

I have taught Sunday School and Daily Vacation Bible School, and I worked in the nursery at the church I previously attended. I have also spent many summers as a teen working out at Dorion Bible Camp as a hospitality hostess and a camp councilor.

I am married to Scott Meredith and we have a soon to be 7 year old daughter, Mariah. I enjoy spending time with my family, the outdoors, camping, gardening, hiking, scrapbooking, and driving Mariah to her many dance classes, rehearsals, and competitions.

I am enjoying "playing" with the children of St. Paul's and watching them as they grow.